My parents' meager income meant that I
was not properly nourished as a child and that I did not have the means to
participate in extracurricular activities at school like field trips. There were
times I was unable to complete my schoolwork because doing so required
additional spending, and my family didn't have the money. Nevertheless, God
helped me to graduate, and I now work as a nutrition supervisor for our
maternal-infant education program at the Santa Rosa de Lima diocese Caritas
office. I help supplement my family's income by covering my meals and paying for
my courses in agricultural and environmental studies at the Universidad Rafael Landívar-Extensión Escuintla. Fortunately, I can count on the support of
my parents and two older brothers.

My community is made up of farmers
and herders, who primarily plant the staples of any Guatemalan's diet: corn,
beans, rice, and in some areas, coffee. Because much of the land that once was
rented to local farmers is now being rented to sugar producers, we are facing a
land scarcity crisis. Sugarcane production is also causing serious
environmental damage to my community.

'United We Will Achieve a Better World'

I first met the Metuchen youth group
members in 2007. They were a friendly group that was interested in knowing us,
sharing in our problems and creating ties of brotherhood. I learned from them
that when there is good will, love for mankind and a shared faith, a person can
become part of other cultures and that humility is a value that must be
cultivated throughout one's life. Together we hiked on our way to reach
different villages within the Santa Rosa de Lima diocese and visited homes and
schools. We planted trees, played soccer and swung at piñatas with local
children.

I was surprised that the people in
our communities were open enough to approach these visitors and show their
affection for them and that the Metuchen youth were so open to accepting this
affection. Likewise, I was surprised by the interest that this youth delegation
had in talking to and playing with the children in our communities.

What I learned from them is a desire
to overcome obstacles, a willingness to help our communities, and an interest
in knowing our needs and understanding our culture. This experience fortifies
my faith in God and the hope that united we will achieve a better world. It
also strengthens my love and respect for my fellow man and my sense of
solidarity. Although we speak different languages, are from different races,
and have differences in our cultures—for example the majority of Guatemalan
youth must work from childhood to help support their families—we still remain
similar. We love God, share the same faith, are active in the same Church, are
in favor of universal unity, we like to share with others and are generally
happy. We share the same universal language of love.